Tent.



PATENTED JULY 30 T. J. BLAGG.

TENT.

APPLICATION FILED r1113. 11, 1907.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

gnoento'z QR); tn one:

I arm PATENTED JULY 30, 1907.

T. J. BLAGG.

TENT.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 11, 1907.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

attouuup PATEN'IED JULY 30, 1907.

T. J. BLAGG.

TENT.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 11, 1907.

4 BHEETS-SHEET 3.

attouwqo :No. 861,252. PATENTED JULY 30, 1907, 1 T. J. BLAGG.

TENT.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 11, 1901.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Q/Vi n eases NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS J. BLAGG, OF BOISE, IDAHO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-EIGHTH TO HENRY O. SCHADE, OF BOISE, IDAHO.

TENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July so, 1907.-

Application filed February 11, 1907- Serial No. 356.867-

This invention has for its object an improved construction of tent house which is particularly designed for use by traveling photographers or the like and is intended to be carried on a .wagon gear from place to place and set up in the form of a tent while still upon the wagon gear, or upon the ground, if desired, and

which when travelingalong the road may be closed up to form a substantially square box, all as will be hereinafter specifically described and the novel features thereof pointed out in the appended claims.

For a full description of the invention andthe merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result, reference is to be had to the following description and ac-,

companying drawings, in which:

Figure I is a perspective view illustrating my invention arranged as a tent; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the parts folded up to form a wagonbox; Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view illustrating particularly afilling board for an otherwise open space in the box structure; Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view illustrating the means for holding the end tent poles, in place; Fig.- 5 is a detail perspective View illustrating a portion of the leg construction; Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view of the structure arranged as a tent; Fig. 7-is.a perspcca tive view illustrating the fioor particularly; Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view illustrating a modified form hereinafter referred to; Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of the strut adapted to support a portion of the stove-pipe; Fig. 10 is a detail perspective view of a side or ridge pole employed with the modification illustrated in 8; Figs. 11 and 12 are detail views of stove pipe clamps; and, Fig. 13 is a detail sectional view illustrating a side extension of one wall, the

modification illustrated in Fig. 8.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description andindicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.-

My improved tent is composed of two main portions A- and B, each of which embodies two solid walls of boards or the like, said walls beingangularly disposed with respect to each other, and designated a, a, b and b, said walls being reinforcedand secured together by means of a series of cross beams 1; Each of these main portions A and B also embodies solid end walls, and the two main portions are hinged together at their adjacent longitudinal edges so as to divide the structure into two main longitudinal sections, one of which is adapted to fold up upon the other to form a preferably rectangular inclosed box. In the preferred construction, one of these portions is adapted to remain as a substantially permanent fixture upon a wagon gear, as shown, unless it be desired to remove the entire structure from said gear when making a long stop, while the other main portion -or section (A) is designed to :be turned outwardly to -theopen position illustrated in Fig. 1 so that its wall a will form a continuation of the wall b, so as to constitute the floor of the tent.

As in one embodiment of the invention, the device when closed up to form a box is wider than it is high, it will be noted that the walla which becomes the vertical wall when the section ofiportion A- is swung outwardly, is higher than its ppposite vertical wall b,-but

it is obvious that the proportions of the parts may be varied at will.

" In oider to pivotally connect the two main sections A and B together, I: employ, in the present instance a rod 2 which may be composed of gas-pipe or other tub ing so as to combine lightness with strength and said hinge rod 2 extends through apertures in the overlapped ends of the intermediate cross beams of the two sections and through metal corner brackets of the corner cross beams of the two sections, as" clearly illustrated in the drawings. When the section Aisswung over against the section B to form the inclosed box illustrated in Fig. 2, the otherwise free ends of the crossbeams 1 of the section A may be secured to the contacting ends of the other section by means of hooks; hasps, or other fastening devices.

With this general understanding of the main idea of the invention I shall. proceed to describe how the box shown in Fig. 2 is opened to form the foundation for the tent structure, and how the tent is setup upon such foundation, at the same time specifying the various parts that are embodied in the invention to effect the operation. f I Referring, then, to Fig.- 2, which illustrates the device as closed up into a box, it will be understood that the wall 0. becomes the top of the box, and the vertical wall of the tent foundation when the section A is swung outwardly and downwardly and that the wall a becomes a portionof the floor. In order to assist in swinging the section A outwardly and downwardly, I

provide one or more pairs of strap irons 3 through which one of the end tent poles or any other stave or pole may be inserted so as to secure a leverage to swing the section A outwardly. As this section is swung outwardly, it

is obvious that the said pole may be slipped upwardly and out of the 'said strap irons, to be secured in its proper place for the tent structure. As has been above section.

stated, the device is. mainly intended to be a permanent fixture on the wagon gear, and therefore legs are necessary for only the section A, when the latter is swung outwardly and downwardly to perform its function as,a tent element. Two or more legs may be provided according to the size of the structure,'but, in the present instance, I have shown two of these legs adapted to be secured at the two corners of the said The legs designated 4 are preferably formed of two strips of wood cut out intermediate of their ends or filled in at their ends to form solid end portions, and to produce longitudinally extending slots 5 between the said solid end portions. Each of the end cross beams 1 of the top portion of the device when arranged as a box is provided with two transverse openings 6 extending therethrough and adapted to receive the clamping bolts 7 that are designed to extend through the slots 5 and are provided with flanged clamping plates 8 adapted to bind against the edges of the legs 4 so as to hold the legs in different adjusted positions with respect to said end cross beams. When the device is arranged as a closed box, these legs preferably are adjusted-so that their ends come flush with the ends of the said cross beams, but when the section A is swung outwardly and downwardly preparatory to completing the formation of the tent-structure, the bolts 7 are loosened and the legs 4 are slid outwardly to the desired extent and then again tightened or secured in their adjusted positions, so that they will reach the ground when the section A has been swung to its proper outward position. It will be noted that the other section B does not need legs, as it is supported by the wagon gear. i

The next step in the operation of raising the tent is to place the two end poles 9 in position. A sill 10 runs longitudinally underneath the bottom wall b of the section B, and said sill is slotted at each end, as indicated at 11 to receive the lower ends of the two end tent .is inserted through the pair of. strap iron brackets 14- in front of each end pole 9 and the poles thus held securely in position. Each end pole is provided at its upper end with a pin 15 adapted to extend upwardly through an aperture formed to receive it in each end of the ridge pole 16, whereby to support the ridge pole on the upper ends of the two end poles. The canvas 17 which forms the side walls of thetent above the foundation walls A and B is secured by a tacked cleat, or by tacks only, if desired, to the underside of the ridge pole I6 so as to form a permanent part of the latter, and when the ridge pole is in place, the two side walls 17 of canvas are unfurled or dropped downwardlyinto the notches 1 formed in the upper ends ofthe 'cross beams 1 at both sides of the structure. The walls a and 12 preferably extend upwardly so as to form recesses with said'notches, and it is these recesses in which the lower edges of the two canvas sides 17 are placed. The cords 18 that-are secured to said lower edges of the canvas are then passed around and secured to the cleats 19 which are provided on the different cross beams. I

The ridge pole. 16 is provided with an upstanding, hall round, longitudinally extending-rib-ZO over which the fly 21 is adapted to extend, and the said fiy extends at its lower edges over the upper ends of the cross beams 1 instead of into the notches 1* and are secured by being laced to the end wall or secured by any other desired" means. To provide steps leading downwardly from the door, the cross beam- 1 adjacent the threshold of. the door has a pair of angle brackets 26 secured to it, and a rod 27 extends through said angle brackets and through the steps 28'to secure the steps in place.

Underneath the bottom wall b are two storage compartments, one of which is preferably accessible through the end door 29 and is adapted to contain the stove pipe, end tent poles, and other accessories whenv the apparatus is folded up into the box so as to travel on the road, and the other compartment divided from the first by a longitudinal partition and is intended to contain victuals. This last storage compartment is preferably accessible through a. trap door or fioor board 30.

To cover up the opening between the two floors when the deyice is arranged as a tent, that is, the opening at the hinge rod 2, I providea floor board 31 which is preferably formed with a hinge section 32, so that it may be folded up into a comparatively small space and placed in the'storage compartment, when not in use. And to cover up the same space when the device'is arranged as-an inclosed box, I provide a board 33 which is adapted to stand upright on downwardly projecting 'pins'34 adapted tobe received in floor sockets 35.

36 designates a window which may be of any desired construction and of any desired number, said window a or windows being preferably located in the wall a so as to admit light from the side when the device is'set up as a tent and light from the top when the box is formed. As the above pipe 37 is located at the side of the structure when the device is set up as a tent, it is ob- I vious that an elbow must beprovided within the length to bind around the vertically extending section of the stove pipe and is provided with a depending hook 43 to support the elbow. In connection with the clamp 42, a clamp 44 is provided, said latter clamp embodying as the former clamp, two spring arms adapted to be secured to one of the end poles of the tent by means of a thumb nut 45 and provided with bowed fingers adapted to clamp the stove pipe.

If it be desired that the stove pipe extend out through one side 'of the structure, an opening being then formed in the said side for such purpose, the said stove pipe may be supported by means of clamps 42 adjustably secured to a slotted strut 46. This strut is formed with a slot 47 designed to receive, in addition to the clamps 42, clamping bolts '48 like theclamping bolts 7. .By this means, the strut 46 may be secured to any one of the intermediate cross beams. I

When it is desired to knock-down the tent or fold the cover the slits through which said P P j for the the ends of said sill, end poles adapted to be inserted in 51 may be folded upon itself at the joint 53 so as to same together and make the box illustrated in Fig. 2, I

In case the wagon upon which the tent structure is preparatory to traveling along the road, the fly 21 is mounted has high hind wheels, I provide the floor loosened, the stakes 49 which may be supplied in any with hoods 60, into which the wheels may extend.

desired number to support the device against wind stress, are taken up, the canvas forming the main walls of the tent is detached from the cleats 19, the step 28 Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A structure of the character described, comprising detached as well as the frame of the door 25, the end two hinged sections, each of which is provided with angupoles are unfastened and inserted in the compartment larly disposed side and bottom walls, one section being arranged to fold over upon the other, whereby to form an ind si ne If d for them and the canvas ls Wrapped wound closed box and being also adapted to be swung outwardly t e ndge P and then fastened y cords on the p of from the other section, and means for supporting canvas the box after the section A has been swung over upon on and above the said sections in open position, whereby the section B. Manifestly, also, the legs 4 are slid into Pmduce tentwardly and the stove pipe taken down and other parts 2. A structure of the character described, comprising unshipped in an evident manner.

It will be noted that the tent above described, has one side wall higher than the opposite wall. If it be desired to construct the tent with both side walls of equal height, I may accomplish this by the construction illustrated in Figs. 8 and 10. To increase the height of the shorter wall, I provide a side ridge pole 50 which is detachably secured on the ends of the series of slotted extension beams 51 adapted to be extensibly secured to the side beams 1 of the shorter side,by means of clamping bolts 52. The side ridge two longitudinally extending sections lunged together to fold one upon the other, one section being adapted to be swung away from the other so as to form the floor foundation side and end walls. of the tent, end poles. means detachably securing the end poles to one of said sections, ridge poles supported by said end poles, canvas or the like supported by said ridge poles, and means for securing the canvas to the said foundation walls.

3. A structure of the character described, comprising a box constructed in longitudinal sections hinged together, a wagon gear upon which one of said sections is directly supported, the other section being adapted to be swung oit' of said directly supported section, whereby to form therewith the foundation of a'tent, legs adapted to support said section, and means for holding the canvas supported pole 50, when detached from the extension side beams across said sections.

4. A structure of the character described, comprising occupy a comparatively small Space when not in 1150- sections hinged together along their longitudinal edges, :1 The said ridge pole 50 is-provid'ed with a series oi upwagon gear pp ti g o of a d ct s, e ther seewardly extending pins 54, the upper extremities of tion being adapted to swing out and project sidewise bc yond the wagon gear, adjustable legs secured to said last Whlch are prefem'b 1y grooved as mdlcated at To named section and adapted to support the same from the h 01d the fly ropes p as to form a p c of the ground, and means for holding the canvas stretched sired extent between the tent and the fly, these pins across said s ctions.

54 project up through the canvas, the top of which is 5. A structure of the character described, comprising longitudinal sections one of said sections being provided Spht or slotted and therefore provide hoods 56 to with a sill slotted at its ends, strap brackets secured to purpose Of keeping but COlCl or moisture, as indicated said slots, wedges adapted to extend through said brackets,

in- Fig. 8. Thesides of the tent in this construction.

and hold said end poles in place, a'ridge pole supported by said end poles, and means for supporting a canvas over ha t t extend above the notches of the mam portlon 0f the ridge pole and securing it to the said sections.

the shorter wall, are supported by cleats 57 nailed or 6. A structure of the character described, comprising otherwise secured on the inside of the ceiling behinged sections, embodying vertically, extending cross tween the vertically extending cross beams, as indicated in Fig. 13. In this construction, it is to be beams and walls to which said'bea ms are secured, the beams being provided with cleats and formed at their upper ends'with notches, 'end poles supported by one of said noted that the longitudinal sill which is slotted to sections, a ridge pole mounted upon Said end Poles, receive the end poles may be moved over to assume vas secured to said ridge pole with its edges inserted in a middle position, instead of th ff th iddl said notches, andjirovided at said edges with cords adaptposition, illustrated in the other views. In all other ed to be secured to said cleats.

7. A structure of the character described, comprising a respects, except those herem specifically referred to in foundation embodying solid walls and cross beams secured .conneption with this modification, such modification is substantially like the form first described.

From the foregoing description in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be seen that I have provided a very complete and effective construction of tent for traveling photographers use or for the use of campers, or the like, which embodies means whereby parts may-be closed up in a box structure while traveling along the road, and then changed, or differ-. ently. arranged so as to render easy the operation of setting up a tent. If desired, for a long stop, the entire device may be raised from the wagon gear by means of the two end poles or other devices as a derrick, but in ordinary use, it is contemplated that the main section B shall remain as a permanent part of the wagon gear while the other section is swung outsupported on the ground its'extensible thereto, and provided at their upper ends with notches, end poles, means for supporting the same, a ridge pole mounted on the upper ends of the. end poles, canvas secured to said ridge pole with.its edges inserted in the cured to the cross beams and adapted for engagement by said cords, and a fly, the ridge pole being provided with means for supporting the fly out of contact with the said canvas, and the edges of said'fly extending outwardly over the upper ends of said cross beams and provided with cords also adapted to be secured to the cleats.

8. A structure of the character described,- comprising two right angular hinge sections adapted to be spread apart with two walls of the sections in alinement and two adjacent side walls parallel, said sections embodying side beams, clamping bolts secured to said side .beams, and slotted legs adjustably connected with said bolts and canvas adapted to be stretched across said sections.

9. A structure of the character described, comprising hinge sections adapted to be spread apart and form the of said sections, is directly supported, the other section notches and provided at such edges with cords, cleats sefoundation walls of a tent, a wagon gear upon which one being adapted to swing over the side of said gear, legs adapted to support said sections, canvas side walls, means for supporting said side walls of the canvas above the said sections and secured thereto, end walls of can vas, means for securing said end walls to said sections, and adjustable steps secured to one of said sections.

10. A structureof the character described, comprising a tent foundation formed with solid walls of which one is higher than the opposite and consisting of hinged sections, end poles supported by one of said sections, a ridge pole supported by said end poles, canvas stretched over said ridge pole, and a vertically extensible side ridge pole secured to the shorter side ofthe foundation.

11. A structure of the character described, comprising a tent foundation formed with solid walls of which one is higher than the opposite and consisting of hinged sections, end poles supported by one of said sections, a ridge pole supported by said end poles, canvas stretched over said ridge pole, and a vertically extensible side ridge pole secured to the shorter side of the foundation, said side ridge pole embodying a series of longitudinally slotted extension beams and bolts that are adjustably connected to said beams and secured to the said shorter wall.

12. A structure of the character described, comprising a tent foundation formed with solid walls of which one is higher than the opposite and consisting of hinged sections, end poles supportedby one of said sections, a ridge pole provided with a series of upwardly projecting pins adapted to extend through the canvas,,extension beams secured to said ridge pole, and adjustably connected to the shorter foundation wall, and a fly adapted to pass over the center ridge pole and be secured to the opposite walls, said fly being provided with ropes that pass over and are mounted on the upper end of said pins.

13. A structure of the character described, comprising a tent foundation formed with solid walls of which one is higher than the opposite and consisting of hinged sections, end poles supported by one of said sections, a'rldge pole provided with a series of upwardiy projecting pins adapted to extend through the canvas, extension beams secured to said ridge pole, and adjustably connected to the shorter foundation wall, anda fly adapted to pass over the center ridge and be secured to the opposite walls, said fly being provided with ropes thatpass over and are mounted in the upper end of said pins, the said canvas being provided with hoods adapted to cover the openings formed by said pins.

14. A structure of the character described, comprising a tent foundation formed with solid walls of which one is higher than the opposite and consisting of hinged sections, end poles supported by one of said sections, a ridge pole provided with a series of upwardly projecting pins adapted to extend through the canvas, extension beams secured to said ridge pole, and adjustably connected to the shorter foundation wall, and a fly adapted to pass over the center ridge and be secured to the opposite walls, said fly being provided with ropes-that pass over and are mounted in the upper end of said pins, the said canvas being provided with hoods adapted to cover the openings formed by said pins, the said side ridge pole being jointed so as to fold upon itself and the extension beams being connected to the said side ridge pole. 1

15. A structure of the character described, comprising two box-like sections embodying walls and cross beams In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS J. BLAGG. [1,. s.]

Witnesses Gno. .F. SHAFFER, WILBmrr H. TYER. 

